Prayagraj: The industry particularly the defence startups show optimism at events like North Tech Symposium (NTS) 2026 being organised by the Indian Army. Themed ‘Raksha Triveni Sangam โ Where Technology, Industry & Soldiering Converge’, the symposiumโjointly organised by the Indian Army’s Northern & Central Commands and the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM)โhas garnered significant attention. Bridging the gap between operational requirements of soldiers and technological solutions, particularly in Artificial Intelligence (AI), drones, and advanced surveillance, the symposium will see participation from over 284 companies showcasing indigenous defence technologies.
โThe North Tech Symposium provides a valuable forum to connect innovation with operational realities. As the ecosystem moves toward greater indigenisation and advanced technologies, such platforms play a critical role in fostering collaboration and accelerating capability development for the armed forces.โ: Ashish Kansal, CEO & Director, SMPP Ltd
Both the industry veterans and new entrants, with whom Raksha Anirveda spoke to about the NTS 2026, expressed hope that such events will enhance the interaction of the industry with the people who are guarding the countryโs borders, and on its part the industry is eager to incorporate the real field demands into actual products. They asserted that such events connect the armed forces, academia and defence manufacturers, thereby strengthening the countryโs strategic and defence ecosystem. And for India to transform into an Aatmanirbhar Bharat, such initiatives are vital.
Commenting on this two-way street, Ashish Kansal, CEO and Director, SMPP Ltd said, โThe North Tech Symposium provides a valuable forum to connect innovation with operational realities. For SMPP, it is an opportunity to engage with industry and defence stakeholders, present battle-ready solutions, and contribute to Indiaโs evolving defence preparedness. As the ecosystem moves toward greater indigenisation and advanced technologies, such platforms play a critical role in fostering collaboration and accelerating capability development for the armed forces.โ
SMPP Limited is an Indian designer and manufacturer of defence equipment, specialising in ammunition components, personal protection products (such as bullet-resistant jackets and helmets), and platform protection kits for land, air, and sea applications.
Similarly, Shantanu Gupta, Founder and Managing Director, Tecknotrove Systems feels that Tecknotrove, which has worked at the leading edge of defence technology for over two decades, will gain valuable traction from the NTS as his companyโs presence at NTS is a natural extension of that journey. Shantanu further said that “Tecknotrove Defence is thrilled to participate in the North Tech Symposium 2026 with our companyโs theme ‘Engineering Intelligence Simulating the Future’.
Shantanu Gupta, Founder & Managing Director, Tecknotrove Systems feels that Tecknotrove Defence which has worked at the leading edge of defence technology for over two decades, will gain valuable traction from the NTS as his companyโs presence at NTS is a natural extension of that journey
โAt the symposium we will showcase the very latest in defence training and decision-support and next-generation simulators, virtual reality-based mission training, wargaming and digital twin platforms, advanced sensors, mechatronics and AI-enabled systems, all designed and developed in India. By integrating the physical and digital worlds, our solutions enable smarter decisions, safer operations and sustainable growth across defence forces and strategic enterprises,โ he said.
โWe are also doubling down on our Make-in-India roadmap with several new product launches planned over the coming year, aimed at delivering world-class, indigenously developed capability to the armed forces ensuring precise readiness today, for a perfect tomorrow,โ concluded Shantanu Gupta.
Mayank Pratap Singh, Founder & CEO of IDR Research & Development Pvt Ltd, echoing similar sentiments, said, โIDR Research & Development Pvt Ltd is proud to participate in North Tech Symposium 2026, where we are showcasing our indigenous UAV platforms and deep-tech defence solutions. This platform allows us to engage directly with stakeholders and demonstrate technologies developed with a strong focus on operational needs.โ
โFrom this event, we hope to build meaningful collaborations and receive constructive guidance. As a dedicated R&D-driven startup, we humbly look forward to continued support through structured handholding, resource access, and long-term engagement, enabling Indian innovators to contribute more effectively towards strengthening Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence,โ he said.
ย โIDR Research & Development Pvt Ltd is proud to participate in North Tech Symposium 2026, where we are showcasing our indigenous UAV platforms and deep-tech defence solutions. This platform allows us to engage directly with stakeholders and demonstrate technologies developed with a strong focus on operational needs.โ: Mayank Pratap Singh, Founder & CEO of IDR Research & Development Pvt Ltd
IDR Research and Development’s AI technology enhances surveillance primarily through onboard object identification in its Doot Mk-1 nano drone.ย The AI enables the drone to autonomously identify up to 80 different objects, which is critical for military and security operations.
This capability allows for real-time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) by providing security forces with immediate, actionable data during missions such as anti-terrorism operations, close-quarter combat, and indoor interventions. The AI-powered identification works in tandem with a live video feed that can be relayed to multiple screens, ensuring seamless coordination among teams.
Similarly, Bodhisattwa Sanghapriya, Founder and CEO, IG Defence said that IG Defenceโs participation at North Tech Symposium 2026 reflects the companyโs commitment to building indigenous, mission-ready defence technologies for Bharat. From advanced drone systems to autonomous platforms, IG Defence aim to showcase solutions that are not just innovative, but battlefield-proven. IG Defenceโs expectation is to collaborate with the Indian Army, forge strategic partnerships, and accelerate the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence. Platforms like North Tech are events where ideas meet actionโand where the future of national security is shaped.
Bodhisattwa Sanghapriya, Founder and CEO, IG Defence said that IG Defenceโs participation at North Tech Symposium 2026 reflects the companyโs commitment to building indigenous, mission-ready defence technologies for Bharat. Our expectation is to collaborate with the Indian Army, forge strategic partnerships, and accelerate the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence
IG Defence is an Indian defence technology company, formerly known as IG Drones, which rebranded in late 2025 to expand its focus from unmanned aerial systems to a broader portfolio of indigenous defence technologies across land, air, sea, and space domains.
The company is currently developing advanced systems including a turbojet-powered loitering munition with a 100 km range, an indigenous fixed-wing tactical drone for which it secured a patent, and various combat and transport aircraft technologies.
To support its growing order book, which includes over 5,000 FPV kamikaze striker drones, IG Defence has received government clearance for a โน300 crore advanced drone manufacturing facility in the Ganjam district of Odisha.
Judging by the response of participants at NTS โ26, one could surmise that such events are the need of the hour and moreover they have ready acceptance by the industry also, as it provides it a rare chance to interact with the real users and technological breakthroughs or theoretical aspects furthered by the academia, in the light of which it could develop products which would help India to become an Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
